Why was Hollie Strano fired? Former WKYC TV weather forecaster starts new role at Mix 94.1, Canton

After more than 22 years as one of Northeast Ohio's most well-known television personalities, Hollie Strano's career took a drastic change in 2024. The longtime WKYC Channel 3 meteorologist was fired after her OVI arrest and public struggle with alcoholism.

Strano has now returned to the airwaves less than a year later, this time through local, southern radio stations, as well as her own podcast.

Hollie Strano began her career at WKYC in the early 2000s and soon became famous in Cleveland. For 22 years, she provided weather forecasts, co-hosted the station's "GO" morning show, and participated in the lifestyle show, It's About You.

Strano, known for her warmth and relatability, earned multiple Emmys and built a loyal fan base across Northeast Ohio. Her 22-year tenure came to an end when WKYC and its parent company, Tegna, announced her departure in September 2024. The decision came after her accident on Thanksgiving 2023. The accident impacted her career heavily.

On November 23, 2023, she was arrested in Cuyahoga Falls after her car crashed into a fire hydrant. According to the court documents, her blood alcohol level was 0.244%, which is more than three times Ohio's legal limit of 0.08%.

Strano pleaded guilty to a first-degree misdemeanor charge of driving a car under the influence in early 2024. She was sentenced to a $375 fine, which included court expenses, as well as a one-year license suspension and a six-day driver intervention program. Not just the arrest, but the court proceedings received a lot of attention as she was a high-profile individual, a local TV figure.

Hollie Strano's position at WKYC was formally terminated in September 2024, some nine months after her arrest. Strano addressed the firing on social media via a Facebook post:

"I am sad to share that after 22 plus years of dedicated work, WKYC and Tegna decided to terminate my employment after I shared my recovery journey publicly. I believe the actions of WKYC and Tegna demonstrate the stigma surrounding addiction that so many in our community experience every day."

Strano then filed a lawsuit against her former employer, WKYC-TV, Tegna National Sales and Finance, and Micki Byrnes, president and general manager of the television station, shortly after being fired, as she claimed that they fired her for openly speaking about her alcoholism recovery journey on social media and advertising a product for which she claimed that she received no compensation.

WKYC denied her allegation in legal documents, claiming that the firing was neither discriminatory nor related to her public advocacy of sobriety.

Hollie Strano turns a new leaf

Despite her setback, Hollie Strano has turned it into a comeback journey where she now uses her position to promote mental health and addiction awareness. She started a podcast called Abruptly Authentic with Hollie Strano, which is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. She openly talks about sobriety, personal growth, mental well-being, Cleveland culture, and weather content.

Strano announced on her Facebook post about her new gig in July 2025, as she started providing weather forecasts to radio stations in Georgia and Alabama:

"What an honor it is to be bringing you the forecast each day, from my hometown in Cleveland to your radios down South! Grateful for the opportunity, and excited for what's ahead."

A month later, she announced an even larger role. She announced that she would be doing the weather forecast for Mix 94.1 in Canton, Ohio, daily. She would be working remotely from Cleveland from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week.

The Canton station announced Strano's arrival with praise on their website:

“Hollie Strano is an Emmy-winning mental health advocate, seasoned television professional, and nationally recognized public figure with over two decades of on-air experience. Based in Cleveland and forecasting remotely, Hollie is known for her radiant positivity, resilience and realness.”

It continued:

"A trusted meteorologist and the creator of Abruptly Authentic — streaming on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts — she blends science, storytelling, and soul to deliver impactful forecasts and fearless conversations across the country."

Hollie took to Facebook to share her joy and gratitude:

“Let’s do this Stark County! So much love for you, Canton! Thank you for having me!”

Hollie Strano will now be on air on Mix 94.1 in Canton, Ohio, daily. Tune in to listen to her weather forecasts.

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